USPTO Patents Application 09856843

Amendment to the Claims :

The listing of claims will replace all prior versions, and listings of claims in the
application. Claims listed below that are cancelled are done so without disclaimer or
prejudice.

Listing of Claims :

1-13. Cancelled

14. (Currently Amended) A device for coupling ultrasonic waves into a solid
body to be ultrasonically probed via a boundary surface located outside a closed
volume comprising:

at least one ultrasonic-wave transducer unit, which couples
ultrasonic waves into the solid body via a gaseous coupling medium provided
between the at least one ultrasonic-wave transducer unit and the boundary surface,
wherein the ultrasonic waves generated by the at least one ultrasonic-wave
transducer unit are directed into the closed volume, which is provided with at least a
first opening and a second opening;

the closed volume being bordered by a housing, in which the at least
one ultrasonic-wave transducer unit is contained, including a housing surface
spaced from the boundary surface which defines and extends outward from the
second opening to define a channel between the housing surface and the boundary
surface; and

2

a source of gas providing a flow of gas producing an
overpressure inside the closed volunne which is directed into an interior of the closed
volume through the first opening, and which exits the closed volume through the
second opening which directly faces the boundary surface and flows through the
channel outward from the second opening while contacting the housing and
boundary surfacesf. 1; and wherein

the flow of gas passes through the second opening facing the boundarv
surface and flows between an upper side of the housing and the boundary surface
and the boundarv surface and upper surface extends radiallv relative to the second
opening to define the channel and a vacuum draws the housing toward the
boundarv surface to create a gas cushion in the channel of a thickness at which a
force of a ttraction is created by the vacuum and a force of repulsion present due to a
mass im pulse of the flow of oas between the housing and the boundarv surface are
in eguilibrium.

15. (Previously Presented) The device according to claim 14, wherein the
closed volume is bordered by a housing in which the at least one ultrasonic-wave
transducer unit is contained to cause the ultrasonic waves to be directed at the
second opening directly facing the boundary surface.

16. (Previously Presented) The device according to claim 14. wherein the
flow of gas is air.

3

17. (Previously Presented) The device according to claim 16, wherein the
flow of air is compressed air.

18-19. Cancelled

20. (Previously Presented) The device according to claim 17, comprising a
compressed air line connected to the first opening.

21-28. Cancelled

29. (Previously Presented) The device according to claim 14, comprising
sound conducting means for coupling ultrasonic waves inside the closed volume
toward and through the second opening.

30. Cancelled

31. (Previously Presented) The device according to claim 16. comprising
sound conducting means for coupling ultrasonic waves inside the closed volume
toward and through the second opening.

32. (Previously Presented) The device according to claim 17, comprising
sound conducting means for coupling ultrasonic waves inside the closed volume
toward and through the second opening.

4

33. (Previously Presented) The device according to claim 20, comprising
sound conducting means for coupling ultrasonic v\/aves inside the closed volume
toward and through the second opening.

34. Cancelled

35. (Previously Presented) The device according to claim 29, wherein the
sound conducting means separates a first spatial zone inside the closed volume, in
which ultrasonic waves propagate without interference with the flow of gas. and a
second spatial zone in which the gas flow is directed.

36. (Currently Amended) The device according to claim_29, wherein the
sound conducting means comprises a funnel which guides the ultrasonic waves from
the at least one ultrasonic-wave transducer unit to the second opening without being
impeded by the flow of gas.

37-40. Cancelled (Without disclaimer or prejudice).

41. (Previously Presented) The device according to claim 14, wherein the at
least one ultrasonic-wave transducer unit comprises a transmitter and a receiver.

42. Cancelled

5

43-47. Cancelled (Without disclaimer or prejudice)

48. (Previously Presented) The device in accordance with clainn 14 wherein:
the channel is of substantially uniform spacing measured between the

housing and boundary surfaces.

49. (New) The device in accordance with claim 15 wherein:

the channel is of substantially uniform spacing measured between the
housing and boundary surfaces.

50. (New) The device in accordance with claim 16 wherein:

the channel is of substantially uniform spacing measured between the
housing and boundary surfaces.

51. (New) The device in accordance with claim 17 wherein:

the channel is of substantially uniform spacing measured between the
housing and boundary surfaces.

52. (New) The device in accordance with claim 20 wherein:

the channel is of substantially uniform spacing measured between the
housing and boundary surfaces.

53. (New) The device in accordance with claim 29 wherein:

the channel is of substantially uniform spacing measured between the
housing and boundary surfaces.

6

54. (New) The device in accordance with claim 31 wherein:

the channel is of substantially uniform spacing measured between the
housing and boundary surfaces.

55. (New) The device in accordance with claim 32 wherein:

the channel is of substantially uniform spacing measured between the
housing and boundary surfaces.

56. (New) The device in accordance with claim 33 wherein:

the channel is of substantially uniform spacing measured between the
housing and boundary surfaces.

57. (New) The device in accordance with claim 35 wherein:

the channel is of substantially uniform spacing measured between the
housing and boundary surfaces.

58. (New) The device in accordance with claim 36 wherein:

the channel is of substantially uniform spacing measured between the
housing and boundary surfaces.

59. (New) The device in accordance with claim 41 wherein:

the channel is of substantially uniform spacing measured between the
housing and boundary surfaces.

7